Pressure-actuated circuit control



Oct. 29, 1929.

l. E. MCCABE PRESSURE ACTUATED CIRCUIT CONTROL Filed Feb. 24, 1922 @Hornung Patented oef. 29, I192e IRA n. MCCABE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PnEssUnn-ACr'UArED CIRCUIT CONTROL Application led February `24, 1922, Serial 1%.'538316.

This invention comprises# a pressure actuated circuit control. -It is in the nature of` a kcontinuation and development of the circuit control device shown in nyco-pending 5 application filed February 11, 1922, Serial No. 535,755, Patent #1,662,122, issued March It is contemplatedamong the objects ofthe invention to associate a pressure responsive l device and circuit control carrier in such a manner that when aepredetermined pressure has been reached, there will be a'quick and positive actuation of the circuit control carrier; wherein the carrier and the parts asvl sociated therewith will be maintained ,in set position," unaffected by vibration up to the 1 point where the device is set to be actuated;

wherein there is provided a positive locking of the carrier and the circuit control "demovement in two directions; wherein initial movement of the pressure responsive device is utilized to store up tension or force for positive actuation of the circuit control carrier and further movement of the pressure responsive device releases the locking instrumentality and permits the utilization ofthe stored up force to quickly and positively throw the circuit control devices intoanother 3.0' osition to be locked there until the action 1s repeated in inverse `direction and manner.

Still further objects are the provision of means for simply and accurately accdamplishing the setting of the devices to operate at. predetermined degrees of pressure and at predetermined times; the housing of the`en tire working parts within a small, dust-proof and tamper-proof casing in fthe nature of a gauge and the use of' few parts, mechanically associated so asl to eiectively accomplish th ends intended.

-' An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, the following views being shown:

Fig. 1, is a v1ew 1n front elevation of one vices associated therewith at thelimits of its p embodiment of the'invention, certain portions being broken away and parts being shown in section.- A F'Figfg'lz 2, is a view in vertical section through Figs. 3 and 4 are detail fragmentary views showing the parts in their twoextreme positions.

In the drawing, a casing 1 is provided with means for connecting it to a source of pressure, and associated with such means there- .is a pressure responsive instrumentality 2,

here shown as an ordinary Bourdon tube. Its movements under different degrees of pressure are utilized to actuate a circuit con-l ao trolling instrumentality which will 'now be described.

Upon an inner wall of the casing there is mounted a base or plate 3. It is provided f with elongated slots 4 and screws, disposed. 65 in these slots permit the loosening and freeing of the plate for adjustment within the range of the length of the slots. Means are provided forl shifting the plate positively v and within minute or almost micrometer range, and as here shown a knurled thumbnut 5 has a portion bearing in the casing wall andan Aeccentric or oi'set portion 6 connected to the plate. When the screws in the'slots have been loosened, turning of the thumbnut shifts theplate fromside to vside and this shifting-movement is utilized toset the instrumentalities now t0 be described so that they will operate at predetermined times and' after a predetermined pressure has been set u'pin the pressure responsive device.y When the desired setting isaccomplished the screws are utilized to lock the plate and the devices carried thereby, in set position.

' Mounted upon base 3J there are posts or g5 spacers 7 which carry a-second plate 8, in spaced relation tothe first plate and secured suitably to the posts as by screws. These two plates and their connections constitute a housing and carrier for the moving parts of 9o the circuit controlling devices and they as a unit when being adjusted.

Means are provided for carrying ciiicuit controlling devices and for lpermitting the movement of these'devices to effect actuation move .of the circuit control. As here shown, such means include a circuit controlling, 'carrying, or actuatlng device having a body portion 9, mounted for oscillating movement on a stem or shaft l10, which, in turn has bearings in the front and back plates respectively. At one end of the body portion there is an extension, arm, or support 11, arranged in gti/slipped and securely retained. "As here shown these circuit controlling devices com-l prise a closed tube within which there are o ened orclosed by a drop of mercury. As

l s own in Fig.: 1, there are two carriers in the present embodiment the poles of each being at opposite sides of the tubes, that is, one set of terminals will be to the 'right and the' otherto lthe left.' 'Irhese are connected suitably to binding posts 14, to which may be, connected any desired instrumentalities which'the circuit controllingdevices are to overn. A large variety ofy uses is accommoated b this arrangement, asvvarlous forms ofk'circulcontrolling devices may be inserted inthe carriers, and by arranging the terminals in die'rent ositions a arge range of uses is possible. n the. present embodiment,

v deviceis in open position and the lower one when the carriers are in the position as shown in Fig. 1, the upper circuit. control is closed. Movement of the carriers in the opposite direction from that shown will eiiect -ju the opposite result.

cans are provided for effecting this movement 'of the' carriers under `the influence of l the'pressure responsive device, 4and for ezt-r ectigjit in a quick and positive mannerV after. a predetermined pressure has been reached. Associated with suchfmeans there are means for locking the carriers at the limits of'their movement in each direction, for storing up force which is swing the cai,

riers and; for* releasing locking Ine'agns 'tg'"'poermit swinging movement of the carfiers. l A

vvUponf an extended portion of thevtoplate 8, are resilient arms 15, the free ends o vwhich bear against opposite sides of the circuit actu- Aas ating device 59.' These arms `are provided with hooked ortions 16 adapted to engage #and securely old, ,until forced therefrom, a

notched portion 17' in the side ofq the niembr 9. The normal pressure of the arms`is linwardly, so that at the end of its osci1- l i I l l y latmg movement 1n either dlrection, member which are mounted on'a stem or 's1aft.20,

the latter havinga bearing rotatively in the front and back plates. This shaftalso carries a combined lever and trip mechanism having a body portion 21, mounted interme# diate its ends on stem 2O and capable of being oscillatedon this point as a end of body portion 21, there 1s an inwardly extending arm 22 placed between the freel ends of resilient members 19. These resilient members are arran ed so that their free ends press towards eac other and when arm 22 is moved towards the right in Fi vL1, for instance, pressure will be built up in terminals of an electric circuit which is Ythe left hand resilient member at the point where it engages arm 18 on the circuit actuating member 9 and this force orpressure is utilized to quickly and positively throw member 9 to the limit otits movement, under the exertion of this pressure when the locking means are released. For releasing the' locking means, there are oppositely disposed rounded extensions 23 carried by the trip mechanism 21 and laced to engage the inner portion of each resilient arm 15 so as to force Vwith which there is a, link 25 which is connected to the free end of the pressure responsive device 2. The connectionis effected by an adjustable screw movable in the slot in the arm and provides a secondary means `or" adjusting thesweep of the pressure responisve device and its action on the circuit controlling devices.

With the parts 1n the position shown in Fig. 3, movement of the free end of th pressure responsive device to the right, will be communicated to link 25.V This will swing member/21 on itspivot and its upper portion will be pressed towards the left. During this mr'fment, right hand resilientv member 19 wll bel exerting pressure against the edge of arm 1/8,and this will continue until the left hand rounded extension 23 on member 21, engages the inner portion of the left hand spring latch or resilienfarni 1 5, whereupon the latchwillbe forced 4from the notch and member 9 will be quickly and forcibly swung towards the right, or tothe position shown in Fig. 4.- In connectienL-with this movement,

the upper circuit will be closed and the lower a casing; a plate4 mounted therein-,af liquid" one opened as best seen in Fig. 1.

The invention provides aI simple and effective means for 4positively actuatinga circuit controlling device especially where there is considerable vibration andwhere it is desirable to maintain the devices in a fixed position until a predetermined degree of pressure has been reached. While ithas been illustrated in the present embodiment, it is understood that I do not wish to be limited to the precise form of thisdisclosure as many changes in the general structure and arrangement of the' parts are considered to be within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

What .I claim is: 1. The combination of a liquid contact circuit 'controlling device having the contacts thereof enclosed in a sealed tube, a carrier therefor including an arm mounted for oscillator movement; a rotatable shaft; a spring memli)7 and mounted upon said shaft; means for swinging the arm through the medium of the spring I member upon rotation of said shaft; means for locking the arm in swungposition;

said means including a member ,extending v from the arm; a latch operatively associated therewith; means for rotating the shaft for building up resistance between the spring and arm; and means for releasing the. lato to allow the built-up resistance to snap the contact tube from the end of movement in one direction to the end of movement in the opposite direction when the resistance has reached a predetermined limit. i

2. In apressure actuated circuit controller, a casing; a plate mounted therein,` a liquid Contact circuit controlling carrier mounted for oscillatory movement o ber operatively associated} with the carrier and ,having a portion extending outwardly therefrom; a 'spring operatively associated with the member; a carrier for the spring, rotatively mounted upon said plate; andv pressure actuated means for .rotating .the spring carrier, and through the spring, mov'- lng the clrcuit control carrier. f l

3. In a pressure actuated circuit controller, a cas1ng; a plate mounted therein, aliquid eontact circuit controlling carrier mounted for oscillatory vmovement on the plateg-,a member ope atively associated with theicar` .rierCand having a portion extending olitvvardly therefrom 'a spring operatively associa-ted with the member; a carrier for the spring, rotatively mounted for. rotative movement; means for rotating the spring. cariier and through the spring, moving the circuit control carrier; said means includinga pressure responsive device; and mechanism connecting the 'pressure responsive devlce and'spring carrier,

the plate; a mem- 4. In-aV pressure actuated circuit controller,

a casing; a plate mounted therein, a liquid.

contact circuit controlling carrier mounted e for 'oscillatory movement on-the plate; a.

member operatively associated with the carrier and having a portion extending outward-C j ly therefrom; a spring operatively associated' with the member; a carrier for the spring,

.mounted upon said plate for rotative moveer operatively associated with the arm ^ment; pressure actuatedr means for Arotatmg the spring carrier and through the spring, moving the circuit control carrier; means for locking the circuit control carrier in thrown position; and means fon releasing the lock.

6. In a pressure actuated circuitvcontroller, a pressure responsive device, a circuit controlling device including a pivoted liquid .contact carrier and a rotatable shaft mounting a resilient actuator for the carrier operatively associated with the pressure responsive device, saidcarrier and shaft mounted upon a support andmeans for'bodily moving the support with relation to the pressure responsive device to `effect adjustment of said del vices to regulate the operation thereof. l

7. In a pressureactuated circuit controller, a casing, a pressure responsive device,.a circuitv controlling device including a pivoted liquidfcontact carrier and a rotatable shaft mounting a-resilient actuator for uthe carrier operatively associated with the pressure responsive device, said carrier pivot and shaft carried upon a su port mountedfor bodily -movement upon t e casingand means for bodil moving the circuit controlling device in're atin to the pressure'responsive device;y gamberi including a `manually lrotatable mounted on the casing having an eccentricj connection to the support.'v 28. A/iiuid ressu're operated liquid contact snapxswitch including-.a pressure responsive'- \device, a liquid 'contact switch having the `terminalsenclosed'in alseal'ed tube, a carrier a spring member operativelyfassociated with the arm and mounted upon said shaft, means actuated by the pressure responsive devicefor rotating the shaft and building up tension :in the sprln means co-aetingwith the carrier plateforIlolding the same at'the ends of os'- cillation as tension is being built up in the'.

. for thecon`tact tube includingI an arm mounted for .oscillating movement-a rotating shaft,

spring and means associatedl with the spring Y terminalsenclosed in a sealed tube, means associated therewith actuated by the pressure responsive device to project the contact tube.

with a positive sudden and continuous movement from one position to another insuring a each predetermined movement of the pressure responsive device, and additional means for bodily. moving the tube projecting means in relation to the pressure responsive device foradjusting the operation thereof'to actuate the switch at various predetermined pressures.

10. In combination, a pressure actuated circuit controller comprising a tilting mercury tube switch, a pressure responsive ymeans for tilting said switch, means to maintain said Jswitch in predetermined open or closed positions, and a quick throw mechanism whereby in response to predetermined changes in pressure the switchis tilted from one predetermined position to theother.

11. In combination, a pressure actuated circuit controller comprising pressure responsive actuating means, an` enclosed liquid contact opening and closing device, a mounting therefor adapted to assume one or the other-of two predetermined positions, and means responsive to predetermined changes in pressure to positively position said mounting in either of said predetermined positions.

12. In combination, 'a pressure actuated circuit controller comprising pressure responsive actuating means, a tilting enclosed liquid contact opening and closing device, a

mounting theretor adapted to assume one or the other of twopredetermined positions to open .or vclose the circuit, means responsive to predetermined changes in pressure to positively position said mounting in either of said positions, and means for adjustingthe pressures at which suchchanges in position of the liquid contact device shall occur. v

13. In combination, 'a pressure tuated circuit,'controller comprising a presure re-Y sponsive actuating means, a tilting mercury switch, means for supporting said switch,

. means ,for tilting said switch to either predetermined closed or open position, together with means for maintaining said switch in either position untila predetermined change in pressure is reached when it is immediately tilted to the opposite position.

141. A pressure actuated circuit controller comprisin a Bourdon tube, a tilting mercury switc a snap action mechanism mount- ,ing said switch and means operatively asso- `comprisin changes in pressure,

'one position the'circuit ip islamic`- ciatedvtherewith actuated by ,movement ofv position andv maintain it/in that position ory vice versa.

15. A- pressure actuated circuit controller a Bourdon tube, a tilting mercury switc a snap action mechanism mounting said switch and means operatively associated therewith actuated by movement of the Bourdon tube at predetermined pressures. to operate theAsnap. action. mechanism to. tilt quick makepr break of the switch circuit at ing it at predetermined pressures t6 positive-f' ly position saidswitches iii eithfof said two positions in response to predetermined changes in pressure.

17. In combination, a circuit controller together with means for adjusting the ,I

4mi l comprising apressure responsive lactuating means, one or more tilting liquid contact switches, a mounting therefor adapted to assume one or the other of two predetermined positions, and mechanism for storing up the energy produced by the changes in pressure ot the pressure responsive means and releasing it at predetermined pressures to positively position said switches in either of said two positions in response to predetermined together with means for adjusting the pressures at which suchtilting of the said switches shall occur. 4

18. In l combination, a VLcircuit controller comprising a pressure responsive actuating means, one or more fluid contact switches, a

mounting therefor tiltable to each of two predetermined positions, means operatively associatedy with the actuating means for tilting vthe switches from one position to the other at v predetermined pressures to make or break the circuits controlled thereby irrespective of .changes from the vertical.

19. In' combination, a pressure actuated circuit controller comprisingatluid contact switch, a mounting therefor tiltable to either of two predetermined positions, whereby in open and in the other the lcircuit is closed, and means coacting therewith to place the s witch in either position in response to predetermined presf sures irrespective of such variation from the vertical. position of. the controller as will norinally permit the circuit to remain open orT closed in the switch until tilted by predeter` mined pressures. 20. In a circuit controller, a pressure responsive actuating member, a tilting uid contact switch, a. mounting therefor tiltable to either of two predetermined positions at a greater tilt than required to `operate the switch, and means coacting therewith to place the switch in either position in response to predetermined pressures-and permit the c ircuit controller to be varied f rom the normal position in proportion to the excess tilt provided and permit within these limits the normal o eration of the switch at the predeterl mine pressures.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

' IRA E. MCCABE. 

